In 1991, as part of the Department of Chemical Technology and Environmental Protection, led by Prof. Mieczysław Wroński, the Department of Environmental Chemistry was established. The leadership of the department was entrusted to Prof. Edward Bald. Two main reasons underpinned this organizational change. First was the creation of a new program in Environmental Protection at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Łódź, where members of Prof. Bald’s team were tasked with teaching several subjects in various educational formats: lectures (Technology in Environmental Protection), a specialization block (Chemical Analysis of the Environment - laboratory), and a master's seminar. The second circumstance favoring this decision was the scientific profile of the team, which diverged significantly from the research interests of other members of the Department.
These interests focused on the analysis of biological samples for the content of physiologically important chemical compounds, primarily thiols, using liquid-phase separation techniques – high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE).
From a biological perspective, thiols, including thiol amino acids such as cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione, are characterized by significant hydrophilicity and a lack of structural properties to create signals compatible with detectors standardly equipped in devices for analyzing samples with complex matrices, utilizing the principles of HPLC and CE. Therefore, there is a need for chemical modification of the analyte, commonly referred to as derivatization, which involves introducing a chromophore, fluorophore, or electrophore into its molecule, while also protecting the highly reactive thiol group from undesirable reactions, primarily oxidation, during the waiting period for analysis or during the analysis itself. Efforts by the team resulted in the synthesis of several ionic salts of aromatic compounds that successfully serve as reagents for thiol group derivatization. These include pyridinium, quinolinium, and lepidinium salts with various substituents on carbon and nitrogen atoms. This diversity allows for the production of thiol derivatives with varying hydrophobicity and electrophoretic mobility, suitable for the designed analytical procedures of HPLC or CE.
Using these reagents, new chromatographic and electrophoretic methods were developed, including fully automated techniques that allow for the analysis of large series of samples without operator involvement. These methods are suitable for analyzing tissues and body fluids (including blood plasma, urine, and saliva) for the presence and content of physiologically important thiols, including their redox status. This has made it possible to monitor metabolic transformations of both endogenous and exogenous thiol compounds in organisms. With effective analytical tools at their disposal, the team established collaborations with national and international centers conducting research on the role of thiol compounds in physiological and pathological states, particularly focusing on the impact of elevated homocysteine levels (hyperhomocysteinemia) and its metabolites on the premature development of atherosclerosis. This fruitful collaboration, documented through numerous publications, involved research teams led by Prof. Hieronim Jakubowski (Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey), Prof. Anetta Undas (Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Experimental Cardiology at the Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University), Prof. Barbara Wachowicz and Prof. Maria Skłodowska (Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź), Prof. I.M.R. Wright (University of Newcastle), and Prof. Veerle M. Darras (Catholic University of Leuven). The results published in scientific journals of global reach have been well received by researchers in chemistry, biochemistry, and medicine, as evidenced by a high number of citations in high-impact journals.
Thanks to the organizational efforts of the team and grants, good conditions have been created for the development of young staff. In this context, it is worth mentioning the awards for the best master’s theses received in local and nationwide competitions (4; 1994, 1996, 1999, 2015, awarded by the Association of Engineers and Technicians of the Chemical Industry and the Foundation of the University of Łódź) and doctoral awards (1; 2007, Dr. Krzysztof Kuśmierek, awarded by the Main Board of the Polish Chemical Society) as well as for the overall scientific achievements (2; 2006, Dr. Rafał Głowacki, and 2007, Dr. Grażyna Chwatko, awarded by the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Łódź and the Conference of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions in Łódź). Since the establishment of the Department, 16 doctors and 5 habilitated doctors have been promoted within the team. For outstanding results in scientific, educational, and organizational work, team members have received numerous awards, including awards from the Rector of the University of Łódź (24; 1966, 1968, 1971, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), the Minister of National Education (1; 1991), and the Minister of Health (1; 2008).
In 2010, the Department of Environmental Chemistry was transformed into the Chair of Environmental Chemistry. Until 2011, the position of head of the Department, and later the Chair, was held by Prof. Edward Bald. Since October 2011, this role has been performed by Prof. Rafał Głowacki. Until September 2016, the Chair’s team consisted of four research and teaching staff members and one engineering and technical staff member. By the decision of the Rector of the University of Łódź, from September 2016 to September 2024, the Department of Chemical Education and Popularization of Science was integrated into the structure of the Chair of Environmental Chemistry. Currently, the Chair's team consists of five research and teaching staff members and one engineering and technical staff member.